Barnstable County EDC

OVERVIEW

The Barnstable County Economic Development Council (BCEDC) is an advisory board to Barnstable County established to guide economic development policy in a manner that will improve the quality of life for all, foster a healthy economy offering a range of employment opportunities at livable wages for year-round residents, and protect the region's natural and built assets today and in the future.

Its duties include advising on the development of the economic development goals for Barnstable County, acting as the Cape Cod Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Strategy Committee and Economic Development District (EDD) governing board, advising on the planning, content and implementation of the CEDS, approving the 5-year CEDS document and advising the Barnstable County Commissioners, upon allocation of funds to award economic development grants/contracts, on the merits of proposals.

ORDINANCE

Barnstable County Ordinance 17-13, adopted January 2, 2018:

The Cape Cod regional government, known as Barnstable county, hereby ordains

This ordinance shall replace Section 4.8 of the Administrative Code of Barnstable County as created and amended previously through ordinances 04-17, 98-23, 98-19, 98-3, 98-13, 92- 5 and any other ordinances pertaining to the previously named Cape Cod Economic Development Council.

In partnership with the fifteen towns of Barnstable County, to establish the Barnstable County Economic Development Council (BCEDC).

Whereas the future of all crucial Cape Cod economic sectors (high technology, retiree and second homeowners, tourism, fisheries, art and culture, aquaculture and agriculture) depend on the state of the Cape environment.

Whereas the attractiveness of Cape Cod for economic development also depends on having a skilled workforce, a high quality of life, and efficient physical infrastructure.

Whereas the region's economic strengths and threats to Cape Cod's current and future economy extend beyond municipal boundaries and cannot effectively be addressed by individual municipalities;

Whereas the Barnstable County Home Rule Charter grants Cape Cod regional government the power and authority to establish programs and perform services to address problems that cross municipal boundaries;

Whereas Barnstable County has adopted Economic Development Goals to guide economic development activities in Barnstable County departments and across the region; and

Whereas the Massachusetts Legislature created the Cape & Islands license plate to generate revenue to support economic development and tourism on Cape Cod and the Islands, and appropriated a portion of the revenues generated in Barnstable County to the Barnstable County Commissioners;

NOW THEREFORE,

BARNSTABLE COUNTY hereby ordains:

Pursuant to the Barnstable County Home Rule Charter, and to focus the County's regional economic development planning, actions, and investments, it is hereby proposed to establish the Barnstable County Economic Development Council (BCEDC)

SECTION 1. Establishment of the Barnstable County Economic Development Council

There shall be a Barnstable County Economic Development Council (BCEDC) established as a part of Barnstable County government and subject to the rules, regulations, and administrative and budgetary policies and procedures of the County.

All activities of the BCEDC shall be consistent with the Massachusetts Open Meeting and other relevant State Laws, Barnstable County Home Rule Charter, the Administrative Code of Barnstable County, the Cape Cod Commission Act, and the Regional Policy Plan (RPP).

BCEDC Mission

The BCEDC is an advisory board to Barnstable County established to guide economic development policy in a manner that will improve the quality of life for all, foster a healthy economy offering a range of employment opportunities at livable wages for year-round residents, and protect the region's natural and built assets today and in the future.

BCEDC Functions

Consistent with the Barnstable County Home Rule Charter, the Administrative Code of Barnstable County, and the Cape Cod Commission Act, the BCEDC shall

Advise in the development of the economic development goals for Barnstable County codified in the Regional Policy Plan.

Act as the Cape Cod Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Strategy Committee and Economic Development District (EDD) governing board on behalf of the Cape Cod Commission and Barnstable County and as required by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Advise in the planning, content and implementation of the CEDS.

Approve the 5-year CEDS document for delivery to and certification by the EDA.

Approve the annual report to EDA on the implementation of the CEDS 5- Year plan.

c. Advise the Barnstable County Commissioners, upon allocation of funds to award economic development grants/contracts, on the merits of proposals.

Participate, through a three-member BCEDC subcommittee selected by the Barnstable County Commissioners. The BCEDC Board may nominate by majority vote, to the County Commissioners, the three members to serve on the grant/contract subcommittee.

Report on and provide performance summaries on the grants/contracts awarded by the Barnstable County Commissioners on a quarterly basis.

Advise the County Commissioners on the funding of grants and contracts related to the functions outlined in this ordinance including, but not limited to, advertising and website development.

Report on BCEDC activities and achievements relative to its mission annually to the Barnstable County Commissioners on or before June 30th; the report will be included in the Barnstable County Annual Fiscal Year Report.

The BCEDC Chair, or in absence the Vice-Chair, shall assign subcommittees of BCEDC members deemed appropriate to carry out its responsibilities under this ordinance.

Develop by-laws for the conduct of business to be approved by the County Commissioners.

BCEDC Membership

The BCEDC shall be constituted as follows:

There shall be eleven (11) voting members with three (3) additional ex-officio members.

Members shall "represent the main economic interests of the Region, including the private sector, public officials, community leaders, private individuals, representatives of workforce development boards, institutions of higher education, minority and labor groups, and others who can contribute to and benefit from improved economic development in the Region" as per the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) regulations to maintain CEDS certification and the Economic Development District designation from the EDA.

Ex-officio members include representatives of the Barnstable County Commissioners, the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, and the Cape Cod Commission, nominated by respective bodies.

Members shall have an understanding of the regional economy and the challenges facing long-term economic sustainability.

Member nominations shall be solicited through a process approved by the Barnstable County Commissioners, from organizations in Barnstable County focused on the constituencies outlined in Section 3b of this ordinance so all required constituencies be represented on the BCEDC.

Members/Ex-officio members are appointed by the Barnstable County Commissioners with consideration of the non-binding recommendations of Candidates/Nominees as identified herein 3 (b)(c)(e).

Members shall have staggered three-year terms so as no more than four member's terms expire each year. Members may serve three terms or a total of nine years on the BCEDC.

A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.

At the first meeting of each calendar year, BCEDC members shall nominate and elect, by a simple majority of the quorum present, a Chairman and Vice-Chairman who shall be voting or ex-officio members of the BCEDC.

BCEDC Staffing

The Cape Cod Commission will provide technical expertise and administrative support to BCEDC as needed to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in this ordinance.

Cape Cod Commission technical staff shall attend all BCEDC meetings and report to the BCEDC on activities related to the development of the CEDS and its implementation, and provide guidance to the Council in the execution of its duties.

BCEDC Funding

An annual budget to staff the BCEDC will be developed by the Cape Cod Commission to be included in the Cape Cod Commission's annual budget.

Prior to the annual county budget process, the County Commissioners shall meet with the Executive Director of the Cape Cod Commission to determine the division of Cape and Islands license plate

revenue funds for the upcoming fiscal year. The BCEDC may submit a recommendation as to the division of funds for consideration by the County Commissioners.

SECTION 2. Effective date

This ordinance is effective immediately upon adoption replacing in its entirety the functions and membership of the Cape Cod Economic Development Council.